Player Discussion Mika Zibanejad

[jerseyjinx94]

Mika's problem is that he doesn't seem to have that dog in him. I know it's a corny expression but it's a real one. Even Panarin, who gets criticized for his playoff performances, has shown that type of fight (reverse hit on Oshie, for example). Mika just doesn't have that in him, when the games get tighter, he tries more and more to avoid the areas of the ice that are difficult to go to. Around the time he had his first child is when his game slipped, he started shying away from contact and has been less dynamic. I'm not sure if there's a correlation but I imagine that has affected his approach to the game in some capacity.

 

[Siddi]

delete

 

[Mandar]

Mika's problem is that he doesn't seem to have that dog in him. I know it's a corny expression but it's a real one. Even Panarin, who gets criticized for his playoff performances, has shown that type of fight (reverse hit on Oshie, for example). Mika just doesn't have that in him, when the games get tighter, he tries more and more to avoid the areas of the ice that are difficult to go to. Around the time he had his first child is when his game slipped, he started shying away from contact and has been less dynamic. I'm not sure if there's a correlation but I imagine that has affected his approach to the game in some capacity.

Is it because of his kid....or his concussion history?

 

[Siddi]

It's not how I feel and it's not all about numbers. First, I never read anything more than conjecture that he had post-Covid symptoms that season. Second, as I said it's not all about numbers, if the PP was good that season he'd have decent numbers just by existing on it. Plus this season he has 7 points in 9 games. Since the 19-20 season he has not started off seasons in an acceptable way even if sometimes his numbers are ok.

So its conjencture when it comes to his post Covid issues but then you will go ahead and state mental and conditioning opinions as facts. Dont you see why it is hard to take you seriously?

Since the 19-20 season he has not started off seasons in an acceptable way even if sometimes his numbers are ok.

With that statement you prove to me that this discussion is not going anywhere. You are acting in a bad faith manner. Its laughable.

 

[BS45]

Putting every ounce of someone's existence into one pursuit is also a recipe for failure, just like not putting in enough time into that one pursuit.

I don't think it's cool to comment on someone's priorities because they have a life outside of one thing if you don't actually have any insight into how he's actually spending his time.


We don't know why he's underperforming. We just know that he is. It could be (and likely is) for reasons outside his DJing. NHL is a hard league and he was, at one point, a top 10 center in the world. I don't question his work ethic.

I do, however, question his health, execution, and hockey IQ right now.

disagree whole heartedly, the difference between winning and losing is so fine. I had a great conversation with Chris Hogan, the ex Patriots WR and we talked just about this. He said the difference in professional sports between winning championships and losing comes down to preparation and time investment. He said the best thing that ever happened to him was going to the Patriots and learning from Belichuk and Brady what it took to win Championships. All they cared about was winning championships and every second they spent was invested in winning, nothing else mattered. They created a culture that everyone else followed. Pro sports is all about culture. Teams like the Jets and Giants have losing cultures in their locker rooms. Guys are just there to collect a pay check and its a job, he went on to say its another reason why their players have so many injuries. With Mika I honestly believe he falls into that classification. This is a professional athlete talking who was a winner. It takes 150% commitment to win Championships thats why we have not since 1994! I have always liked Mika but I honestly believe that his heart is not 150% into it like it needs to be!

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Putting every ounce of someone's existence into one pursuit is also a recipe for failure, just like not putting in enough time into that one pursuit.

I don't think it's cool to comment on someone's priorities because they have a life outside of one thing if you don't actually have any insight into how he's actually spending his time.


We don't know why he's underperforming. We just know that he is. It could be (and likely is) for reasons outside his DJing. NHL is a hard league and he was, at one point, a top 10 center in the world. I don't question his work ethic.

I do, however, question his health, execution, and hockey IQ right now.

We don't know enough but he won't be the first person ever to prioritize his hobbies over his career. We don't know if he's doing that but the amount of long periods of time particularly to start a season where he didn't look ready makes me wonder.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

So its conjencture when it comes to his post Covid issues but then you will go ahead and state mental and conditioning opinions as facts. Dont you see why it is hard to take you seriously?



With that statement you prove to me that this discussion is not going anywhere. You are acting in a bad faith manner. Its laughable.

You yourself said he's played like an AHLer. He has 7 points in 9 games. You don't understand how in hockey points don't mean everything?

 

[Mike in Houston]

Is it because of his kid....or his concussion history?

One in the same maybe.

 

[HolyHagelin]

We are not supposed to bring up veganism as a possible contributing factor? Why? There is tons of evidence that going vegan is terrible for athletes.

Exhibit A:

Cam Newton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Cam Newton. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Cam Newton Sucks & Diet Experts Blame Veganism

Cam Newton sucks now, and a growing number of people believe the Carolina Panthers superstar's conversion to veganism is the culprit.

www.ccn.com

I can certainly appreciate and respect the need to tamp down personal attacks but veganism is absolutely a possible (likely?) contributor to diminishing results.

 

[Siddi]

You yourself said he's played like an AHLer. He has 7 points in 9 games. You don't understand how in hockey points don't mean everything?

You are just moving goal posts now. It is embarrassing.

Our argument isnt about the current season or even last season. We are all in agreement that he sucks right now despite his 7 points.

You started all of this by stating that he have had 1 good season as a Ranger and that he is inconsistent. When I disproved that claim and asked you which of his Rangers seasons you consider "not good enough" (your words) you replied with his 20-21 season. A season which he ended as the teams top goal scorer despite his slow start due to post-Covid issues.

You claim that his Covid issues are conjecture yet you go on about him having mental and conditioning issues as a fact. What are we even doing here? You are better than this.

You want facts? Here you go:
Rangers' Zibanejad acknowledges virus affected slow start

 

[SnowblindNYR]

You are just moving goal posts now. It is embarrassing.

Our argument isnt about the current season or even last season. We are all in agreement that he sucks right now despite his 7 points.

You started all of this by stating that he have had 1 good season as a Ranger and that he is inconsistent. When I disproved that claim and asked you which of his Rangers seasons you consider "not good enough" (your words) you replied with his 20-21 season. A season which he ended as the teams top goal scorer despite his slow start due to post-Covid issues.

You claim that his Covid issues are conjecture yet you go on about him having mental and conditioning issues as a fact. What are we even doing here? You are better than this.

You want facts? Here you go:
Rangers' Zibanejad acknowledges virus affected slow start

He started every season slow since 19-20, that one was just the most obvious. His final stats are not indicative how he has started all of those seasons because he'd go on a run and finish with good stats and play, hence inconsistent. And you're bringing up stats yet are admitting that he has had a shit start this year in a season he has 7 points in 9 games. So yes it's possible to suck and have decent stats.

 

[Harbour Dog]

We are not supposed to bring up veganism as a possible contributing factor? Why? There is tons of evidence that going vegan is terrible for athletes.

Exhibit A:

Cam Newton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Cam Newton. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Cam Newton Sucks & Diet Experts Blame Veganism

Cam Newton sucks now, and a growing number of people believe the Carolina Panthers superstar's conversion to veganism is the culprit.

www.ccn.com

I can certainly appreciate and respect the need to tamp down personal attacks but veganism is absolutely a possible (likely?) contributor to diminishing results.

Except he isn't vegan. People made it up.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

We are not supposed to bring up veganism as a possible contributing factor? Why? There is tons of evidence that going vegan is terrible for athletes.

Exhibit A:

Cam Newton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Cam Newton. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Cam Newton Sucks & Diet Experts Blame Veganism

Cam Newton sucks now, and a growing number of people believe the Carolina Panthers superstar's conversion to veganism is the culprit.

www.ccn.com

I can certainly appreciate and respect the need to tamp down personal attacks but veganism is absolutely a possible (likely?) contributor to diminishing results.

Isn't Tom Brady vegan?

 

[HolyHagelin]

Except he isn't vegan. People made it up.

That would be a pretty good reason!

Isn't Tom Brady vegan?

No, in an interview with some health food mag he said he eats about 20% animal and 80% plant.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

Is it because of his kid....or his concussion history?

I think both - you see in the Amazon documentary that Forsberg had a child and he admitted his game day preparation changed - he wanted to spend more time with his daughter. His wife wanted him to stop being so physical (he got in a fight and she didn't want him to). And then he got a concussion during the season as well. Having a child changes your mindset on life completely

 

[SA16]

I think both - you see in the Amazon documentary that Forsberg had a child and he admitted his game day preparation changed - he wanted to spend more time with his daughter. His wife wanted him to stop being so physical (he got in a fight and she didn't want him to). And then he got a concussion during the season as well. Having a child changes your mindset on life completely

He also proceeded to then have the best season of his career so how much did that stuff actually matter?

 

[jerseyjinx94]

He also proceeded to then have the best season of his career so how much did that stuff actually matter?

Who is he? Forsberg? Or Zibanejad?

 

[SA16]

Who is he? Forsberg? Or Zibanejad?

Forsberg

 

[Machinehead]

Like saying fans of Rempe "throw bananas in the air" when he steps on the ice? You really believe that happens?

In a way, yes.

I think the people at the Garden who blow a gasket as soon as he steps on the ice are low intelligence.

 

[Siddi]

He started every season slow since 19-20, that one was just the most obvious. His final stats are not indicative how he has started all of those seasons because he'd go on a run and finish with good stats and play, hence inconsistent. And you're bringing up stats yet are admitting that he has had a shit start this year in a season he has 7 points in 9 games. So yes it's possible to suck and have decent stats.

The guy had barely any lung capacity and still fought his way back to end the year as the teams top scorer! If that is not mental fortitude then I dont know what is. Also, I dont see you crap on any other player for their performance during that season.

Slow starts are not inconsistency. If anything he is constistently ramping up. Also, his numbers until last season was not just "decent" or "ok". In fact, his numbers last season could be considered as "ok".

For comparison:
Mika have outscored (goals) Panarin in every season except the last one. Are you really going to tell me with a straight face that Mika only have had 1 good season as a Ranger?

I only brought up stats because of your awful takes in hope that you would come to your senses.

You cant suck as a player and still be improving every season on top of being a PPG player.

 

[SeanAveryTheGreatOne]

Mika is signed through 2030 at $8.5M/yr with a full no-movement clause the entire way through

Every conversation in this thread should be taking place through that prism. We're stuck with him, and we're up against the cap. His level of play further descending is something the team can't afford if it wants to win the Cup.

 

[DevilDog99]

disagree whole heartedly, the difference between winning and losing is so fine. I had a great conversation with Chris Hogan, the ex Patriots WR and we talked just about this. He said the difference in professional sports between winning championships and losing comes down to preparation and time investment. He said the best thing that ever happened to him was going to the Patriots and learning from Belichuk and Brady what it took to win Championships. All they cared about was winning championships and every second they spent was invested in winning, nothing else mattered. They created a culture that everyone else followed. Pro sports is all about culture. Teams like the Jets and Giants have losing cultures in their locker rooms. Guys are just there to collect a pay check and its a job, he went on to say its another reason why their players have so many injuries. With Mika I honestly believe he falls into that classification. This is a professional athlete talking who was a winner. It takes 150% commitment to win Championships thats why we have not since 1994! I have always liked Mika but I honestly believe that his heart is not 150% into it like it needs to be!

Seems like common sense- not sure why this is even a discussion. Anyone can tell that Mika could care less. You don’t win with guys like that- we have a few others too.

 

[Larrybiv]

One in the same maybe.

Did his child give him another concussion? No wonder he's been <.

All kidding aside, I'm all about the mixing up the lines, because we've been stale. Really starts with the defense though, imho. I'm all about Cuylle moving up, but what he really needed to do, was put Filip on top line and send Mika to the 3rd line. The only way to "wake up" a player, is to take away his ice time. Sending him to 3rd, also could hurt his "ego" and therefore should make him realize that it's cool to place FAMILY above everything else, BUT this is your JOB and reputation at stake/ Just be better.
I don't think he's been a TOTAL shitshow, but agree with above saying that he's NOT 150% vested in every game and winning. Seems he/they? KNOW they'll make the PO's, so why should I kill myself? Hope that's not the case though. Mind you, Love me some Mika.

 

[Larrybiv]

Mika is signed through 2030 at $8.5M/yr with a full no-movement clause the entire way through

Every conversation in this thread should be taking place through that prism. We're stuck with him, and we're up against the cap. His level of play further descending is something the team can't afford if it wants to win the Cup.

Don't care for that term "stuck". It's not like he _______, (rhymes with stuck). We wouldn't be having this conversation, had he lit it up in last year's PO's. Yes, I want him to be much better (everyone needs to be, except the kids) but I could give a rats ass if he nets 60 pts. and then blows it up in the PO's. I'd bet just about everybody here would make that exchange. Same for Breadman.

 

[94leetch]

On the blue seat podcast Boyle said Mika has to play more aggressive and move his feet. He's usually pro player but sounded kind of disgusted with his play.